Navy visits Pirates today

By David Hall / Staff Writer

Published: Saturday, October 27, 2012 at 01:01 AM.

Passing YPG 114.7 265.0

Keys to the game: ECU, a four-point favorite, must stick to defensive assignments and slow the run while guarding against the big-play pass. With the probability of fewer possessions than normal, the Pirates must make the most of their offensive opportunities.

GREENVILLE — It’s a rather boring proposition, really, defending against a team like Navy.

Remaining focused on a specific assignment play after play leaves little room for individual expressions of athleticism.

But if East Carolina hopes to reach the goals of both victory and bowl eligibility today, its players will have to ignore the urge to improvise.

The Pirates face their final non-conference opponent of the regular season today at 3:30 p.m. when Navy (4-3) brings its anomalous triple-option offense to Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium.

The game is a battle of two of the most civilized teams in the nation, with both among the top six in fewest penalties per game. Third-year ECU coach Ruffin McNeill believes it will therefore come down to overcoming the monotony of duty.

“This team is very disciplined. I feel like we have done a pretty good job of that this year, too,” McNeill said. “So it’s execution, fundamentals. This is going to be a game where it will be the wills of who can do their assignment over and over again, fundamentally over and over again.”

Navy, which uses misdirection, speed and deception to average 235.3 rushing yards per game, has won three straight, including last week’s 31-30 victory over Indiana.

The Pirates (5-3) are on their first two-game winning streak of the season after victories over Conference USA foes Memphis and UAB. A win today would make ECU bowl-eligible for the first time in two years, a secondary aspiration.

“You know it’s there,” Pirates quarterback Shane Carden said. “But that’s never been the focus this season, just to become bowl-eligible. Right now our goal is just to finish out the season undefeated with the last games that we have.”

The series carries with it a blemish for the hosts. The last time the Midshipmen visited Greenville, in 2010, they set a stadium scoring record for opponents in a 76-35 win that exposed holes in ECU’s game-planning. Defensive coordinator Brian Mitchell has since switched from a 4-3 defense to a 3-4 front and implemented year-round preparation for the triple option.

Last season, the Pirates won 38-35 at Navy to exact partial revenge.

But those games mean little now to McNeill.

“Nothing can carry over from the loss two years ago or from our win over Navy last year,” he said. “We just have to be ready to play right now.”

Senior running back Gee Gee Greene is averaging 6.8 yards per carry for the Midshipmen, who have passed for just 114.7 yards per game under the quarterback tandem of Keenan Reynolds and Trey Miller.

Carden, a sophomore who won the starting job after the season’s second week, has completed 141 of 219 passes (64.4 percent) for 1,685 yards and 11 touchdowns.

But it’s ECU’s defense, which is allowing 392.6 yards of total offense per game, that will be tested most. The players and coaches insist that it’s a matter of individuals remaining assignment-sound.

“The main thing with Navy is they’re consistent with their technique, and they’re just looking for one play to catch you off guard,” said Pirates outside linebacker Derrell Johnson. “As long as we keep going, executing out there and making tackles out there, everything will be fine.”

McNeill said his defensive players will need to have “great eye control” and stay focused on their jobs, something his charges have taken to heart.

“It’s a very disciplined week for us — just keeping our eyes on our keys,” said safety Damon Magazu. “I think we’ve had a good week of it. We haven’t let our eyes get away from us much.”

NOTES: Navy leads the series 2-1. ... Rainy, windy conditions are expected with the arrival of Hurricane Sandy. ... The Pirates are 22-42 in non-conference games since joining C-USA in 1997. ... Today’s game completes a scheduled four-game series that began in 2006.

David Hall can be reached at (252) 559-1086 or at david.hall@kinston.com.

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Navy at East Carolina

Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium

Greenville

Today, 3:30 p.m.

On TV: FSN

On the radio: 107.9 WNCT

Online: ecupirates.com (All-Access)

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How they match up

Navy ECU

Points per game 21.1 25.8

Opp. PPG 23.3 25.2

Rushing yards per game 235.3 117.5

Passing YPG 114.7 265.0

Keys to the game: ECU, a four-point favorite, must stick to defensive assignments and slow the run while guarding against the big-play pass. With the probability of fewer possessions than normal, the Pirates must make the most of their offensive opportunities.